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Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury is a condition that can have negative repercussions on the patient's quality of life. Its treatment is complex and sometimes the outcome is insufficient. Cannabinoids have recently been used in multiple sclerosis to successfully treat spasticity that is refractory to other therapies. AIM: To quantify the clinical response of a group of patients with spastic chronic spinal cord injury to the orally administered drug delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-cannabidiol (Sativex®) as medication for use in special situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The research consists of a six-month observational study in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries with refractory spasticity. The variables collected were: modified Ashworth scale, Penn spasm frequency scale, Numeric Rating Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale for pain. Additionally, clinical variables and side effects of the treatment were also collected. RESULTS: Fifteen patients took part in this study. A significant improvement was observed on three of the scales recorded: modified Ashworth scale (z = -2.97; p = 0.003), Penn spasm frequency scale (z = -2.76; p = 0.006) and Numeric Rating Scale (z = -3.21; p = 0.001). The use of the drug was withdrawn in two patients due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Sativex can be considered an alternative in patients with spasticity associated with chronic spinal cord injury for whom other therapeutic measures have been insufficient. Further studies need to be conducted before the use of this drug can be recommended and so as to define a complete profile of its long-term side effects.

"UC San Diego medical researchers have for the first time used 3D printing technology to create a spinal cord and implant it with neural stem cells into rats with spinal cord injuries, the university announced Monday."

"Many believe that for people living with spinal cord injuries, "recovery" is defined first and foremost as regaining the ability to walk. But the repercussions of spinal cord injury go beyond that and recovery has different degrees. Many of those living with spinal cord injuries hope to normalize their blood pressure, or regain bowel, bladder and other affected bodily functions, for a more self-reliant, healthier life. For most, the top priority is recovery of use of a hand and arm, which translates into meaningful, quality-of-life improvements: being able to independently eat, dress, work, and perform other daily activities."

"VIP NeuroRehabilitation Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, run by and for the patients! We bring top quality outpatient NeuroRehabilitation care to disabled military, veterans, children, and to ALL who are in need.  Located in San Diego, California, we treat adult and pediatric patients, from ages 4 years old and up. Our focus is on those who have difficulty moving secondary to Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Brain Injury, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injury, and multiple traumas."

Janice found this article. It looks highly relevant to her condition.

"Three years after he was paralyzed from the chest down, Ian Burkhart faced a dilemma. He received a phone call from the Ohio State University asking him, as one of the few patients with a spinal cord injury living near Columbus, Ohio, to join a brain-computer interface (BCI) study."

"Novoron's scientific foundation is the discovery of a novel receptor for the components of myelin that inhibit regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) after injury (1). This pioneering research has led to a novel approach to nerve regeneration that is applicable to a number of CNS disorders and diseases, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.  Novoron's proprietary technology has been exclusively licensed from the University of California, San Diego (2)."

"Thank you for visiting! As you likely know, my name is Kabir Kadre, and I am partnering here with Help Hope Live, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in part because they provide both tax deductibility and fiscal accountability to those who wish to support the medical costs of my life with Spinal Cord Injury and the resulting quadriplegia and paralysis. Thanks to their efforts, and with your generous support, I am able to offset my substantial medical costs and focus on giving what I can to the world through the gift of my life."

Janice O'Connor will be testing this device at VIP Nuero-Rehab on 10/10/19 "It's not just walking - it's More Than Walking: ReWalk is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to stand upright, walk, turn, and climb and descend stairs*. ReWalk is the first exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for personal and rehabilitation use in the United States."

James Ian's new song called "Spaces" is made by, and for, the disabled community. While the song highlights a disease known as spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, it also celebrates the talent of the much broader disability community.